Motor for toys



' April 14, 1959 s. RUBENSTEIN MOTOR FOR TOYS Filed July 25, 1957 ffa lillllllll l: I "'4 \IJIHI 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 MAL April 14, 1959 s. RUBENS'TEIN 2,881,364

MOTOR FOR TOYS Eiled .July 25, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent MOTOR FOR TOYS Sherman Rubenstein, Skokie, Ill.

Application July 25, 1957, Serial No. 674,242

11 Claims. (Cl. 185-37) This invention relates to a motor for toys and more particularly to a motor construction which is susceptible to production in large quantities at minimum tooling and production costs and which is adapted to be usable in a toy with a minimum of change. The motor embodying the present invention is of the spring variety wherein a coil spring may be Wound for storing energy to be used in connection with actuation of the toy.

A construction embodying the present invention has wide application to different toys and reduces engineering and production costs per unit to such a low figure as to make possible the manufacture and sale of many toys for a price far below now considered feasible. The new construction is susceptible to molding technique wherein plastics are used, it being understood that the spring itself is of spring steel wire. Because of the large potential field of use for such motors, high quality moulding dies may be made with the assurance that the resulting motor will have quality at a comparatively low unit price.

The invention in general contemplates a coil spring, one end of which may be anchored to a fixed stop in any one of a number of ways, and the other end of which cooperates with a cam so shaped that the spring can be wound in one direction only. In order that the invention may be fully understood, it will be disclosed in connection with drawings showing exemplary embodiments. It is understood that variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention except as defined by the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a sectional elevation of a conventional four wheeled toy vehicle wherein a motor embodying the present invention is used, this figure also showing a novel brake for the traction wheel.

Figure 2 is a section along line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end view of the toy illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a top sectional view along line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective detail of the motor driving wheel showing the cam illustrated in the motors of Figures 1 to 4 inclusive.

Figure 6 is a sectional detail illustrating a new means for anchoring one end of the spring wire.

Figure 7 is a sectional detail showing a modification of the motor.

Figure 7a is a detail of the drum of Figure 7.

Figure 8 is a view partly in section of a new motor used in connection with a paddle boat.

Figure 9 is a section along line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a top view of the toy illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a toy swimming figure provided with the new motor.

Figure 12 is a top view of the new motor and the arms for the swimming figure of Figure 11.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, a toy vehicle indicated by 10 may be provided with body 11 and wheels 12 to 15 inclusive. Wheels 12 and 13 are of conventional construction and are secured to pin 17 passa of a combined axle and motor construction. The combined axle and wheel construction minus the actuating spring is illustrated in perspective in Figure 5. This construction which may be generally indicated by 25 includes a shaft or axle 27 having stub ends 20 and 21. Rigidly supported on shaft 27 is driving drum 28 having end wall 29 and cylindrical wall 30.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, end wall 29 is provided with cam 31 having detent face 32 and cam face 33.

Cam 31 in the form illustrated here is arcuate with respect to shaft 27 and may extend over any desired angle around shaft 27. As illustrated here, the angular extent of cam 31 is something less than However this may be increased or decreased. So long as cam 31 tapers at end 32 from the inside surface of end wall 29 to a maximum height at detent face the construction will be satisfactory. Detent face 32 extends sharply from end wall 29 and may either overhang wall 29 or may extend substantially perpendicular thereto to provide a locking face for a spring end.

Shaft 27 has disposed around it coil spring 35 havingdriving end 36 extending outwardly to cooperate with cam 31. locking end for anchoring against some suitable fixed part on the toy. As illustrated, spring end 37 has hooked part 39 which is adapted to engage fixed plate 40 of the vehicle. As is clearly evident in Figures 2, and 4, driving end 36 of the coil spring lies against inside Wall 29 of the drum while anchor end 37 of the spring extends beyond the open end of the drum for suitable anchoringv on the vehicle body.

- If drum 28 is turned clockwise as seen in Figure 1, driving end 36 of the spring will lock against detent face 32 of the cam and permit coil spring 35 to be wound, thus storing energy. spring slippage and eliminate the danger of damage to the spring. Drum 28 may have rubber band 42 disposed around the outer surface thereof for improving traction if desired. As illustrated here, drum 28 and band 32 are adapted to engage the floor or other surface upon which the vehicle rests for direct drive when the spring is permitted to unwind. However, it is understood that drum 28 may be coupled through gears or other means for directing power to be utilized elsewhere.

Drum 28 may be wound by means of crank 43 disposed upon one end of shaft 27, here illustrated as stub end 20 or the drum may be wound directly by taking the toy in one hand and turning the drum. It

is also possible to wind the spring by moving the toy illustrated in Figure l backward.

A brake may be provided by having pin 45 carry brake" Brake lever 46 having handle 47 and brake pad 48. pad 48 is adapted to engage the outer surface of rubber band 42. The brake may be biased to a normal braking position by providing hooked portion 50 on brake lever.-

46, said hooked portion 50 being engaged by rubber band 51 looped around pin or suitable anchor 52 carriedby or forming part of the toy body. Brake lever 46 may work rather hard on pin 45 so that the brake will remain set in the off position. The brake bias prevents spring unwinding but the brake lever angle is such as to permit drum movement during spring winding.

Coil spring 35 has its other end 37 as the.

Reverse movement will permit case, the drum may be clear of the floor. The brake bias'prevents spring unwinding but the brake lever angle is such as to permit drum movement during spring winding. i

The entire motor, consisting of shaft 27', drum 28 and. the coil spring may be disposed as a. unit within the 'toy body in any suitable manner such. as for example by springing reduced portions 20'and 21' past slots 54 in'the sidesof the toy. If' desired, small bushings may be provided over reduced portion 20' and 21 of. the shaft and the bushings themselves be. forced into position into slots 54. By such construction, stubs 20 and 21 may run smoothly within bushings while, the bushings themselves may be retained in position in the walls of the toy.

Referring to Figure 6, there is illustrated a modified means for anchoring portion 37 of the coil spring. As illustrated here, spring end 37' will be threaded through aperture 56 in a suitable part of body 11'. Body 11 is provided with projecting block 57 over which the end of, wire' 37 may be disposed. Cap 58 is shaped to press fito'verblock 57. During the disposition of the cap over the block, the end of wire 37 lying on block 57 will be kiuked and shaped as shown to anchor the wire securely in? position between the block and cap.

Referring to Figure 7, a modified form of motor is illustrated'wherein drum 60 has cam 61' formed on the in side surface 62 of the drum. Otherwise camv 61' resembles cam 31 in having a locking face at one end and a gradually tapering surface extending to the other end of the cam. A detail of the drum part having the cam is illustrated in Figure 7a.

Coil spring 65 has driving end 66 cooperating with cam 61 ofthe. drum. Coil spring 65 also has spring anchor end.67..

In. order to obviate the necessity for fixedly anchoring part 67 of. the spring, anchor block 68 may be provided on body portion 69 of the toy to which the motor is to be attached. It'will be clear that if shaft 70 of the motor illustrated in Figure 7 is turned in one direction, part 66 of the spring will wedge against the cam detent face and permit spring 65 to be wound. Anchor 67 of the spring will catch against block 68. Reverse. rotation of shaft 70 during winding will permit end 66 of the spring to slip along the cam face.

It is clear that cam 61 on the inside surface of the drum may be. used instead of cam 31 on the end wall of thedrum in the construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 4' inclusive. It is also clear that end 67 of the spring in Figure 7 may be anchored in the manner illustrated in connection with Figures 1 to 4 inclusive.

Referring now to Figures 8 to inclusive, a simple motor embodying the invention may comprise shaft 72 carrying cam block 73 at one end thereof. Cam block 73has a cam surface similar to. that illustrated in Figure 121m. provide a locking action in one direction and a slip ping action in the reverse direction. Coil spring 75 is disposed over shaft 72, coil spring 75 having driving end 76, for cooperation with cam block 73. Coil spring 75 has anchor end 77 which may be disposed against any suitable retaining member, such as block 78 forming part ofthe frame of the. toy.

The motor may be carried in housing 80 supported onboat or scow 81. Shaft 72 may carry paddles 83 at the. ends thereof. The motor mounting in general may follow along the lines illustrated in Figure 1, namely by having-the ends of shaft 72 pressed past slots into suitable. bearing openings in the side walls. If desired, bearing, sleeves may be provided.

Referring now to Figures 11 and 12, the simplicity of the-new motor makes it readily adaptable for a toy swim ming figure. Thus the motor proper may consist of shaftportion72."havingcam 73 provided. with coil spring 75?; Coilispring 75' has one end 76 for cooperation withthe, cam surfaceof block 73;.

outer end-2 7:7. for use :in. anchoring: within. the: body' Coilspring; 75' has:

of the swimmer carrying the motor. Shaft 72' has arms 83*a't the ends thereof. The top arm in Figure 12 may be attached to shaft 72 after the shaft has been inserted through the shoulders of the swimmer.

It is evident that a motor embodying the present invention may be readily adapted for a wide variety of toys. The shaft and cam as illustrated in Figure 12 or the shaft, drum and cam,-as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, may be. moulded out of suitable plastic. The spring should have the driving end stiff enough to permit the spring to bewound. Since the motor is readily adaptable. to a complete line of toys, it may be manufactured with a high degree of precision while keeping costs low.

While I have illustrated the new motor as a propelling means for various kinds of toys, it is to be understood that the motor may be used for animating purposes generally on toys, advertising devices and the like.

A. highly advantageous feature of the new motor con:

struction resides in the fact that the coil spring need? have no shaping operations applied to. the. ends of the springs except where the attaching end will be provided with a hook. The driving end of the spring is simply astraight length of spring and in fact the motor as supplied to a toy manufacturer may have a lengthof coil spring with two straight end portions. This makes. it possible to reduce manufacturing costs insofar as the motor is concerned.

What is claimed is:

1. A spring motor for use in toys and the like, said motor having a shaft portion, a cam block rigidly at. tached to said shaft portion, said cam block being shaped to provide a locking face in one direction and a slipping; face in the other direction, a coil spring disposed around" said shaft, said coil spring having an outwardly extending.

driving portion cooperating with the cam, said coil spring. having its other end provided with an anchor portion for attachment to some fixed point, said shaft being adaptedto wind' up the spring when said shaft is turned in onedirection with the cam locking the driving end of the spring, said driving end of the spring being adapted to slide over the cam block when said shaft is turned in the reverse direction, said shaft being adapted to spin in response to spring, unwinding after said energy has been stored in said spring, said motor being adapted to be moulded and assembled with minimum cost and being adapted to be mounted in a simple manner.

2. The spring motor according to claim 1 wherein said coil spring has its anchor portion extending outwardly for a greater distance than said driving portion.

3. In combination, a toy having a body, the spring motor of claim 1 for said toy, said spring motor having the end' portions of the shaft available for mounting in the toy and means for mounting said shaft. in said toy body, said means including slotted members for press fitting said shaft, ends into position.

4. In combination, a toy and the spring motor of claim 1, said toy having a fixed body portion provided with a.

projecting block, said spring motor having the anchor end of the spring disposed on said block and a cap adapted face and a sloping face, a; coil spring disposed around said shaft and .having atleast part within said drum, said coil spring having a driving end." portion extending: gene erally radially of the spring axis, said driving end of the spring 'beingsufliciently long and stiif to cooperate: with saidcamiblock, said cam. blockbieing adapted to. engage.

said driving end of the spring in one direction of drum rotation and being adapted to slip over said cam block in reverse direction, said coil spring having its other end as an anchor end adapted to be retained against a fixed portion of said toy body.

6-. The construction according to claim 5 in combination with a toy wherein means for anchoring the other end of said spring includes a block on said toy body and a cap press-fitted over said block with the end of the spring wire being wedged between said block and cap.

7. The construction according to claim 5 wherein said cam block is upon the end wall of said drum.

8. The construction according to claim 5 wherein said cam block is upon the inside surface of the cylindrical drum wall.

9. A toy vehicle comprising a toy body having a plurality of wheels upon which said body is adapted to run, a spring motor for said toy, said spring motor including a moulded plastic drum having a cam block within the drum, a shaft rigidly attached to said drum, a coil spring around said shaft and having a generally straight driving end portion for engaging said drum at a cam detent face in one direction and slipping with respect to said drum along a cam slope in reverse direction, means on the outside of said drum for providing a friction surface.

10. The construction according to claim 9 wherein a brake is provided, said brake including a brake lever terminating in a handle, said lever provided with a brake pad, means for pivotally securing said brake lever on a portion of the toy body so that said brake pad may be moved into or out of engagement with the drum friction surface, said brake lever including a hook portion and elastic means extending between said hook portion and the body portion of said toy for biasing said brake lever in a desired position, said brake lever having an angle of incidence on said friction surface as to tend to reduce friction when said drum is turned in a spring winding direction.

11. A spring motor for use in toys and the like, said motor having a shaft portion, a drum on said shaft portion, said drum having one end wall with the other end of the drum being open, said drum including a cam block unitary with said drum, said cam block extending with respect to the drum axis for a pre-determined angular range, said cam block having a detent face and a sloping face, a helical spring disposed around said shaft and having at least part thereof within said drum, said spring having a driving end portion extending generally radially of the spring axis, said driving end portion of the spring being sufliciently long and stiff to cooperate with said cam block, said cam block being adapted to engage said driving end of the spring in one direction of drum rotation and being adapted to slip over said cam block in reverse direction, said coil spring having its other end as an anchor and adapted to be retained against a fixed portion of said toy body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,779,349 Whatley Oct. 21, 1930 2,429,040 Zaverl Oct. 14, 1947 2,591,260 Hobbs Apr. 1, 1952 2,697,305 Muller Dec. 21, 1954 

